California Students Research Articles

Binge Drinking Disparities by Grade, Race and Ethnicity, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity.

Binge drinking disparities between sexual and gender minority (SGM) students and their heterosexual, cisgender peers are well-established. Data limitations have precluded understandings of whether the onset and progression of these disparities differ by grade. Additionally, little is known about whether and how SGM-related binge drinking varies across groups of students coincidingly defined by sexual orientation or gender identity (SOGI), race, and ethnicity. In the current study, we used a large, statewide sample of secondary school students in California to describe the prevalence of binge drinking among subgroups of adolescents at the intersections of grade, race and ethnicity, and SOGI. Data were from the 2017-2019 cycle of the California Healthy Kids Survey, one of the largest statewide cross-sectional surveys of secondary school students in the United States (n = 925 744). We described the grade-specific prevalence rates of past 30-day binge drinking by (1) grade level, (2) race and ethnicity, and (3) SOGI. Predicted probabilities estimated adjusted percentages of students' binge drinking by subgroups. SGM-related binge drinking differences were present early in secondary school. Several subgroups of SGM adolescents with minoritized racial and ethnic identities reported higher binge drinking rates relative to their same-grade, white, non-SGM peers. Prevention and intervention programs must consider developmentally- and culturally-informed strategies to most effectively promote health among minoritized students.

Secondhand smoke exposure and asthma status among adolescents: Findings from the 2019–2020 California Student Tobacco Survey

Background and objectivesSecondhand tobacco smoke is associated with worsening asthma symptoms among children. However, the relationship between secondhand marijuana smoke and asthma symptoms among youth has not been examined. This study compares the prevalence of secondhand tobacco and marijuana smoke exposure, overall and by asthma status, among middle and high school students. MethodsThe study assessed participants of the 2019–2020 California Student Tobacco Survey: a large, cross-sectional random sample of 8th, 10th, and 12th graders (N = 158,937). Descriptive analyses examined exposure to combustible tobacco and marijuana secondhand smoke by students’ asthma status and sociodemographic characteristics. ResultsMore students with asthma were exposed to combustible tobacco secondhand smoke (13.4 %) and marijuana secondhand smoke (12.0 %) than students without asthma (10.9 % and 9.3 %, respectively). The prevalence of secondhand marijuana smoke exposure was higher among 12th grade students (12.2 %) while the prevalence of secondhand tobacco smoke exposure was higher among 8th grade students (13.4 %) and those who lived in rural locations (15.4 %). ConclusionsCalifornia students are exposed to marijuana secondhand smoke at similar proportions to combustible tobacco secondhand smoke and more students with asthma are exposed to marijuana secondhand smoke. These results expand the public health issue of secondhand smoke exposure among children with asthma by highlighting the need to examine marijuana secondhand smoke. Given the rapid shift in marijuana laws across the US, exposure to secondhand marijuana smoke is likely to increase. Therefore, vulnerable populations, such as children with asthma, should be prioritized for interventions that aim to alleviate secondhand marijuana exposure.

Analyzing California Student Media Festival winning videos

ABSTRACT The researchers conducted an extensive examination of winning student videos from the California Student Media Festival (CSMF) spanning the years 2009–2023. This content analysis aimed to gauge the quality of these videos and shed light on the diverse participation of schools in the festival. By scrutinizing high-quality videos across different school levels and years, the researchers sought to identify common technical and content factors, particularly those that reflect media and information literacy. The analysis also examined the patterns of participating schools. The analyzed videos not only provided insights into the evolving interests and agendas of students but also showcased their adeptness in embracing emerging technologies and employing a variety of digital tools. Notably, the presence of media assignments and teacher guidance underscored the vital role of school support and instruction in nurturing students’ media production skills. However, the study also revealed that there remains untapped potential for growth in the realm of media literacy education.

“Why Are You Going to Community College?” College-Conocimiento and Latinx Transfer Students’ Two-Year College Decisions

ABSTRACT Emerging scholarship has centered the college decisions of community college students. This study extends college choice literature by examining the testimonios from 25 traditional college-age Latinx students in California who enrolled in community college with the goal of transferring. The findings highlight how information about community college is difficult to access as well as how students felt stigmatized by others for choosing the community college pathway. Yet, despite these challenges, once enrolled in community college, students developed pride and felt empowered about their decision. Implications for research and practice are provided.

Synergistic Impacts of Expansions in Pre-K Access and School Funding on Student Achievement: Evidence from California’s Transitional Kindergarten Rollout

This paper investigates the extent to which expansions in public pre-K and increases in K12 funding improve student learning trajectories and narrow achievement gaps. I link school-and student-level information on public preschool participation with longitudinal student data for all public school students in California. The research design exploits Transitional Kindergarten's (TK's) age eligibility cutoffs and the 2013-2019 staggered implementation of California's school funding reform. This quasi-experimental variation is combined to investigate interactive effects between TK attendance and school resources in elementary school. I find positive synergistic effects of TK and elementary school spending on math and reading achievement.

Nutrition Knowledge, Food Insecurity, and Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Underserved College Students

An online, cross-sectional survey examined food insecurity, adverse childhood experiences, academics, health status, dieting, and associations with nutrition knowledge among 83 freshmen Educational Opportunity Program university students in California. Mean (SD) nutrition knowledge was 13.6 (5.0) out of a perfect score of 29. Most students (84%) reported being food secure. The median adverse childhood experiences score was 1.00 (interquartile range, 0.00-3.00), an indication of intermediate risk for toxic stress, and the mean (SD) high school grade point average was 3.62 (0.38) out of 4. More adverse childhood experiences were associated with higher nutrition knowledge (P = .005). High school grade point average predicted nutrition knowledge (P = .003). The results may be helpful in designing larger, more representative studies of the Educational Opportunity Program population and finding helpful interventions.

Dismissed, Dormant, and Deep-rooted Immigration Distractions and Undocumented College Students’ Academic Experiences

Evolving or stagnant immigration laws and policies may distinctly shape the experiences of undocumented students by shifting access to rights or opportunities. I draw upon 30 interviews with college students in California to analyze how they encountered legal vulnerability. I argue that legal vulnerability can be dismissed, dormant, or deep-rooted, producing contrasting experiences. Inclusive state and institutional policies set the stage for some students to dismiss legal vulnerability and decouple vulnerability from their academic experiences. However, most encountered dormant legal vulnerability through awakened racist xenophobia following the 2016 presidential election and deep-rooted legal vulnerability via persistent uncertainty about their futures or worries over family. Distracted students lost focus, motivation, and study time, which impacted their classroom participation and overall academic performance. Yet, they attempted to improve their academic engagement with limited effectiveness. Altogether, I theorize the relationship between different types of legal vulnerability and undocumented students’ college experiences.

Underage Alcohol Use by Intersectional Identity Among Alternative High School Students

PurposeTo examine alcohol use (AU) among intersectional subgroups within a longitudinal cohort of predominantly Hispanic/Latino alternative high school (AHS) students in southern California. MethodsPast month AU was measured over a period of three years among 1,029 students (mean age 17.5 years, 49.7% female, 76.1% Hispanic/Latino) from 29 AHSs. Multilevel models that adjusted for age, socioeconomic status, parental education, weekly income, sensation seeking, depression, anxiety, and stress estimated trends in AU over time among intersectional subgroups defined by gender, ethnicity, and generational immigration. ResultsStudents with parents born in the United States had high rates of AU at the baseline that remained stable over time. In contrast, first-generation Hispanic/Latino students had lower levels of AU at the baseline that increased over time. First-generation, female, Hispanic/Latino students exhibited one of the lowest probabilities of AU at the baseline (28.6%, confidence interval [CI]: 15.9%–41.3%) but at the two-year follow-up had one of the highest probabilities (47.4%, CI: 29.3%–65.5%). A similar trend was observed among first-generation, male, Hispanic/Latino students whose probability of past month AU rose between the baseline (23.1%, CI: 12.4%–33.8%) and two-year follow-up (36.0%, CI: 19.2%–52.7%). DiscussionFindings underscore the heterogeneity of AHS students, showing a more nuanced picture of AU by the intersection of gender, ethnicity, and generational immigration. Underage AU prevention efforts among AHS students must provide targeted messages to intersectional identities.

Factors associated with COVID-19 vaccination status: A cross-sectional study of California students in higher education

To examine the factors associated with coronavirus vaccine hesitancy among students in higher education, we conducted a cross-sectional mixed-methods study between June and August 2021 among California students in higher education (n = 4444). We collected information on vaccination status, socio-demographics, and attitudes towards coronavirus vaccination.After adjusting for social demographics and social network characteristics, compared to those with household members who were vaccinated, those who had household members who were unvaccinated had 0.11 (95% CI 0.09 – 0.14) times the odds of being vaccinated. Political identification was related to vaccination status: compared to those who did not identify with any particular party, those who identified as progressive had 12.5 (95% CI 3.70 – 50.0) times the odds of being vaccinated. Asians had higher odds (OR = 1.54; 95% CI 1.08 – 2.04) of being vaccinated compared to whites and men were marginally less likely to be vaccinated (OR = 0.79; 95% CI 0.61 – 1.00). However, age, parental education, and educational status were unrelated to vaccination status. Social and demographic factors may be associated with the decision to remain vaccinated among young adults. Public health messages shouldutilize social networks to encourage vaccination uptake among young adults.

Youth mental health and nicotine vape use: The moderating role of rural-urban/suburban school environments

ObjectiveTo understand and compare the association between nicotine vape use and mental health among youth in rural and urban/suburban areas. MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 146,489 high school students from the 2019–2020 California Student Tobacco Survey. Descriptive statistics were estimated with frequencies and percentages. Separate bivariate associations between each covariate/predictor variable and mental health were examined using linear regression. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between nicotine vape use and mental health for youth attending school in rural versus suburban/urban communities. ResultsFindings showed that vaping nicotine was associated with poorer overall mental health (b = −0.307, SE = 0.019, p < 0.001), and that this association differed based on rural versus urban/suburban school environments (b = −0.135, SE = 0.046, p = 0.004). Specifically, the relationship between vaping and poor mental health was stronger for youth attending school in rural areas (b = −0.443, SE = 0.042, p < 0.001) than in urban/suburban localities (b = −0.307, SE = 0.019, p < 0.001). ConclusionsAlthough differences in mental health were not shown based on rural versus urban/suburban school environments alone, findings showed that the relationship between nicotine vape use and mental health was stronger for youth attending high school in rural areas. Additional research is needed to understand the underlying social and environmental mechanisms that exacerbate this relationship. Future interventions might consider how to support and improve the mental health of rural nicotine vapers to better achieve health equity across different school environments.

Initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on tobacco use among college students in California

Objective: To evaluate the change in tobacco use by college students in California during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants: Young adults (18–24 years) currently enrolled in a California college or university (N = 212). Methods: Students recruited through social media posts and by student tobacco advocate members completed an online survey of 59 questions in Spring 2021. Results: Almost 80% of current tobacco users reported a change in tobacco use during the pandemic. Most current tobacco users who changed their tobacco use reported an increase in use during the pandemic (43.2%) and 38.7% reported a decrease in use. Conclusion: As a result of COVID-19, many college students changed their tobacco use. As students return to campus and COVID-19 regulations are lifted, this may be an ideal time for prevention and cessation messages, which could include information on health risks associated with tobacco and e-cigarette use, and healthy methods for stress reduction.

Skin cancer screening and sun safety education program for high school students in southern California.

e22505 Background: Decreasing unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation during childhood can significantly decrease the risk of developing skin cancer as an adult. School-based sun safety curricula have demonstrated efficacy in teaching young adults about the harms of prolonged, unprotected UV exposure and have been effective in increasing safety practices. This project provided a 50-min sun safety curriculum to high school students at a public high school in San Diego, CA just prior to the summer break in 2022. The curriculum addressed skin cancer risk factors, skin protection methods, the benefits of limiting lifetime UV exposure, and methods for performing a skin self exam. The study objective was to assess sun safety knowledge before and after the class, and measure behavior changes three months thereafter when students returned from summer break. Methods: The sun safety classes were taught in groups of 40-60 students across six class periods in June 2022. Students were asked to complete an anonymous pre-participation online survey assessing their knowledge of common skin cancer types and skin cancer risk factors. Students were taught the curriculum over 45 minutes with 5 minutes reserved for questions. Two follow-ups surveys were conducted with the students, one at the end of the class period and a second follow-up three months later. Follow-up surveys assessed retention of knowledge and changes in sun safety behavior. Students had the option of providing a cell phone number so they could be contacted to participate in the second follow-up survey. Results: The curriculum was taught to nine classes of approximately 300 students in a single day across six class periods. A total of 206 students completed the pre-participation survey. At the first follow-up, 95.1% of students completed the post-participation survey and students showed significant improvement in knowledge of common skin cancer types (12.6% pre-participation to 68.9% post-participation), skin cancer risk factors (11.2% pre-participation to 16.8% post-participation), and skin cancer prevention methods (22.8% pre-participation to 45.9% post-participation). For the second follow-up, 128 students provided contact information and the survey had a response rate of 71.5%. After 3 months, students demonstrated retention of knowledge of skin cancer types and risk factors. A majority (87.2%) of students indicated that their use of sunscreen had increased and 57.4% indicated that their use of sun protective barriers had increased over the summer because of this course. Conclusions: This pilot course demonstrates that targeted sun safety education for teenagers before summer break can significantly increase sun safety awareness, adoption of protective behaviors, and knowledge about skin cancer. Such an intervention can promote skin cancer awareness at a young age where behavior changes can decrease lifetime risk of skin cancer.

High engagement in nonpharmaceutical interventions and their associations with reduced COVID-19 among US college students

BackgroundNonpharmaceutical interventions, including face mask-wearing, physical distancing, and avoidance of crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, have been widely recommended to limit the spread of SARS-CoV-2. To date, there is little data available on engagement in nonpharmaceutical interventions and COVID-19 in college students. Using a large sample of college students, we estimate the prevalence of engagement in mask-wearing, physical distancing, and avoidance of crowds/poorly ventilated spaces and their associations with COVID-19.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted (February–March 2021) using a college-wide online survey among students (n = 2,132) in California. Multiple modified poisson regression models assessed associations between mask-wearing indoors, physical distancing (both indoors or public settings/outdoors), avoidance of crowds/poorly ventilated spaces and COVID-19, controlling for potential confounders.ResultsFourteen percent (14.4%) reported a previous COVID-19 illness. Most students reported wearing masks consistently indoors (58%), and 78% avoided crowds/poorly ventilated spaces. About half (50%) reported consistent physical distancing in public settings/outdoor and 45% indoors. Wearing a mask indoors was associated with 26% lower risk of COVID-19 disease (RR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.60,0.92). Physical distancing indoors and in public settings/outdoors was associated with a 30% (RR = 0.70; 95% CI: 0.56,0.88) and 28% (RR = 0.72; 95% CI: 0.58,0.90) decrease risk of COVID-19, respectively. No association was observed with avoidance of crowds/poorly ventilated spaces. The risk of COVID-19 declined as the number of preventive behaviors a student engaged in increased. Compared to those who did not engage in any preventive behaviors (consistently), students who consistently engaged in one behavior had a 25% lower risk (RR = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.53,1.06), those who engaged in two behaviors had 26% lower risk (RR = 0.74; 95% CI: 0.53,1.03), those who engaged in three behaviors had 51% lower risk (RR = 0.49; 95% CI: 0.33,0.74), and those who consistently engaged in all four behaviors had 45% lower risk of COVID-19 (RR = 0.55; 95% CI: 0.40,0.78).ConclusionsWearing face masks and physical distancing were both associated with a lower risk of COVID-19. Students who engaged in more nonpharmaceutical interventions were less likely to report COVID-19. Our findings support guidelines promoting mask-wearing and physical distancing to limit the spread of COVID-19 on campuses and the surrounding communities.

Gender differences in family meal frequency and their association with substance use and mental health among middle and high school students.

Family meals are associated with adolescent health outcomes. Studies have reported that girls are less likely than boys to have dinner with their families. This study examined gender differences in family meal frequency and the relationship between meal frequency and other health measures, using a large and representative sample of California middle and high school students. This study analyzed data from the 2019-2020 California Student Tobacco Survey (159,904 students in grades 8, 10, and 12). Dinner with the family 5-7 times per week was defined as high frequency. Students reported substance use (of tobacco, marijuana, and alcohol) and rated their mental health and happiness in their home life. All analyses were weighted to reflect the California student population. Fewer than half (44.7%) of students reported a high frequency of family meals, with boys more likely than girls and those who identified their gender in another way the least likely to do so (48.3%, 42.2%, 34.0%, respectively). Gender differences persisted across demographics and the quality of family relationships, and were evident as early as eighth grade. Less frequent family meals were associated with poorer mental health (OR = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.29-1.40) and substance use (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.21-1.32), controlling for the effects of demographics and family dynamics. Gender differences in family meal frequency emerge early in adolescence and persist across demographics and family relationships. Given that family meals play a protective role in an adolescent's life, these gender differences are concerning.

Enacting resilience at multiple levels during the COVID-19 pandemic: exploring communication theory of resilience for U.S. undocumented college students

ABSTRACT During the COVID-19 pandemic, college students faced a number of stressors that threatened their health and well-being. Undocumented college students faced similar stressors and additional ones that were unique to their immigration status. Drawing from communication theory of resilience, we conducted 30 semi-structured interviews with Mexican-origin undocumented college students in California. Our findings extended past research on the communication theory of resilience by identifying triggers that motivated undocumented students to enact resilience at multiple levels. Undocumented students reported (a) individual, interpersonal, institutional, and policy-level constraints that constantly threatened their health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic; (b) how they enacted resilience at those multiple levels; and (c) how their undocumented status was a source of stress but also a source of empowerment.

Safer at school early alert: an observational study of wastewater and surface monitoring to detect COVID-19 in elementary schools

Schools are high-risk settings for SARS-CoV-2 transmission, but necessary for children's educational and social-emotional wellbeing. Previous research suggests that wastewater monitoring can detect SARS-CoV-2 infections in controlled residential settings with high levels of accuracy. However, its effective accuracy, cost, and feasibility in non-residential community settings is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness and accuracy of community-based passive wastewater and surface (environmental) surveillance to detect SARS-CoV-2 infection in neighborhood schools compared to weekly diagnostic (PCR) testing. We implemented an environmental surveillance system in nine elementary schools with 1700 regularly present staff and students in southern California. The system was validated from November 2020 to March2021. In 447 data collection days across the nine sites 89 individuals tested positive for COVID-19, and SARS-CoV-2 was detected in 374 surface samples and 133 wastewater samples. Ninety-three percent of identified cases were associated with an environmental sample (95% CI: 88%-98%); 67% were associated with a positive wastewater sample (95% CI: 57%-77%), and 40% were associated with a positive surface sample (95% CI: 29%-52%). The techniques we utilized allowed for near-complete genomic sequencing of wastewater and surface samples. Passive environmental surveillance can detect the presence of COVID-19 cases in non-residential community school settings with a high degree of accuracy. County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Centers for Disease Control.

The mismatch of virtual instruction practices with young adolescents’ developmental needs

The COVID-19 pandemic caused schools to shift to virtual or hybrid instruction, thrusting young adolescents into a very different educational environment. Stage-environment fit theory outlines ways in which educational contexts may, or may not, meet the developmental needs of young adolescents. Yet little is known about how virtual environments fit the needs of middle schoolers. To assess this, we surveyed 430 middle school students in California during emergency distance learning. Open- and close-ended survey questions revealed the ways in which virtual schooling was not able to match the needs of these young adolescents. Student responses included challenges related to lack of connections with peers and teachers, difficulty working independently, and general mental health issues. Though limited, these results highlight the ways in which to consider developmental stages when altering school contexts in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such findings offer insights on how to adjust online practices so that they can better support the developmental needs of middle school students.

The impact of SNAP-Ed interventions on California students' diet and physical activity during COVID-19.

School-based CalFresh Healthy Living (CFHL) (California's SNAP-Ed) interventions adapted to new learning environments necessitated by COVID-19. We examined the impact of these interventions on student diet and physical activity (PA) outcomes. Quasi-experimental, two-group, pre-post. California public schools with ≥50 % of students Free and Reduced Price Meal-eligible (nintervention = 47; ncomparison = 17). Fourth- and fifth-grade students who completed the online Eating and Activity Tool for Students at pre and post (nintervention = 1087; ncomparison = 846 students). Intervention students reported a significantly greater increase in consumption frequency of total fruit (by 0·16 times/d; P = 0·032), driven primarily by a greater increase in 100 % fruit juice (by 0·11 times/d; P = 0·007). Intervention students reported a significantly greater increase in total vegetable consumption frequency (by 0·45 times/d; P < 0·001) than comparison students. Specifically, intervention students reported increased, whereas comparison students reported decreased, consumption frequencies for starchy vegetables (0·05 v. -0·10 times/d, P < 0·001), salad/green vegetables (0·01 v. -0·11 times/d, P = 0·005) and beans (0·04 v. -0·03 times/d, P = 0·025). Consumption frequency of other vegetables decreased in both groups (-0·01 v. -0·09 times/d) but decreased more among comparison students (P = 0·048). No differences in pre-post change in PA outcomes were detected. Findings suggest that despite COVID-19-related challenges necessitating programme modifications, CFHL interventions played a role in protecting student consumption of fruit and vegetables during the 2020-2021 school year. Therefore, it appears that school-based CFHL interventions can be a viable means of safeguarding student nutrition at a time when access to nutritious food and PA opportunities are hindered.

Improving the Community College Transfer Pathway to the Baccalaureate: The Effect of California's Associate Degree for Transfer

AbstractThe transfer between two‐year and four‐year colleges is a critical path to baccalaureate attainment. Yet students face a number of barriers in transfer pathways, including a lack of coherent coordination and articulation between their community colleges and four‐year institutions, resulting in excess units and increased time to degree. In this paper we evaluate the impact of California's Student Transfer Achievement Reform Act, which aimed to create a more seamless pathway between the California Community Colleges and the California State University. We investigate whether the reform effort met its intended goal of improving baccalaureate receipt, and greater efficiency in earning these degrees, among community college transfer students. We tease out plausibly causal effects of the policy by leveraging the exogenous variation in the timing of the implementation of the reform in different campuses and fields of study. We find an overall positive effect on bachelor's degree attainment. This increase is driven entirely by increased transfer rather than an increased probability of earning a BA/BS conditional on transfer. We find only suggestive evidence that the policy led to greater efficiency (i.e., fewer units at graduation) in BA/BS receipt for transfer students. These findings are broadly consistent across student subgroups.

School climate and resilience promoting characteristics: exploring latent patterns of student perceptions in California

ABSTRACT Few studies holistically examine how students experience the multiple dimensions of school climate and resilience promoting characteristics, or how these two constructs may be interrelated. This study utilised a sample of 78,550 7th, 9th, and 11th grade students in California. Roughly half of the participants were female (52%), and roughly half (49%) were Latino. Latent Class Analysis was used to identify a 6-profile model for school climate and a 2-profile model for resilience promoting characteristics. Students experiencing overall positive climate, those experiencing supportive adult relationships, and those who engage meaningfully in their work at schools were more likely to report higher resilience promoting characteristics. These findings highlight the importance of fostering positive and protective school climate. In addition, findings support a social-ecological theory of resilience, indicating that schools are contexts that may play an important role in developing resilience promoting characteristics for secondary students.